Joy Today

We know that The Feast of The Passover always brings crowds to Jerusalem, my "walking with Jesus" friend. It's the second day of Passover. What will Jesus do in Jerusalem today? What will the chief priests and scribes do about him? Matthew 21:23-27, reports: " Now when Jesus came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders confronted him saying:" By what authority do you teach and heal? And who gave you this authority? [ are they looking for an argument? Haven'they figured out, yet, that Jesus is way, way, way smarter than they are!] Jesus answered them:' I also will ask you one thing, which, if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?" And they reasoned together saying, 'If we say, from Heaven, he will say to us, Then why didn't you believe him? But, if we say, from earth, the people will get upset because they believe John was a. P...

We know that The Feast of The Passover always brings crowds to Jerusalem, my "walking with Jesus" friend. It's the second day of Passover. What will Jesus do in Jerusalem today? What will the chief priests and scribes do about him? Matthew 21:23-27, reports: " Now when Jesus came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders confronted him saying:" By what authority do you teach and heal? And who gave you this authority? [ are they looking for an argument? Haven'they figured out, yet, that Jesus is way, way, way smarter than they are!] Jesus answered them:' I also will ask you one thing, which, if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things: The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?" And they reasoned together saying, 'If we say, from Heaven, he will say to us, Then why didn't you believe him? But, if we say, from earth, the people will get upset because they believe John was a. P...

Yes, please, my "walking with Jesus" friend, enjoy a fresh, tasty fig from my best trees here in Bethany. I am glad that MY trees are doing very well. But Ben's trees...not so much. In fact...well, Matthew 21:18-22 reports:" Now in the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went to it, but found only leaves, no fruit. And he said to the fig tree:'Let no fruit grow on you, EVER.' Immediately, before their very eyes, the fig tree withered away. When they saw THAT, the disciples marvelled, saying, 'How did the fig tree wither away so quickly?' Jesus told them: If you have FAITH, and do not doubt...you will say to this mountain:' Be removed and cast into the sea.' And it will be done. Whatever you ask in prayer, BELIEVING, you will receive." To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because y...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. After an intense day of riding into Jerusalem, chasing out the money changers, healing the lame and blind, rejoicing in the "Hosannas" of the children, and confronting the disgruntled ( and jealous) religious big-wigs...after ALL that, what would YOU do? Right! Of course, you and I would leave the city. What did Jesus do? Matthew 21:17, reports:" And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there." Bethany is only a mile or two outside Jerusalem, an easy walk. And we remember that Jesus' friends the sisters Mary, & Martha and their brother, Lazarus, who he had raised from the dead (John 11) lived in Bethany. Yes, after intense ministering, there is need to be among friends, to rest and pray and let the Lord refresh the Spirit. " In returning and rest shall be your strength..." counsels Isaiah 30:15. And in Psalm 46:10, the Lord of hosts declares:" Be STILL, and ...

Good thing we are wearing sturdy sandals, my "walking with Jesus" friend. There's a lot of walking to be done here with this crowd in the temple. Everyone keeps shouting and celebrating, especially the children! They are dancing and singing and are still shouting:" Hosanna to the Son of David." Oh look, " the blind and lame are coming to Jesus here in the temple. And he is healing them all." Oh, oh, here come the chief priests and scribes. (THEY think they know everything.) Matthew 21:15-16, reports what happened this way: " And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things Jesus did, and the children shouting joyfully in the temple, saying:'Hosanna to the Son of David,' they were very upset. And said to Jesus: 'Do you hear what the children are saying?' And Jesus answered them: Yes, I hear them. Haven't you read, in our scriptures: 'Out of the mouths of children and little ones, God has perfected praise....

You say that you found some wonderful verses? my "walking with Jesus" friend. Yes! It says here: "...he who comes to God [in prayer], MUST believe that He IS, and that He is a rewarded of those who diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) And over here, it says:" Seek the Lord while He may be found. Call upon Him while He is near, Let the wicked stop being wicked and let the ungodly give up their ungodly thoughts, and let them return to the Lord, for He will abundantly pardon the sinner who asks."(Isaiah 55:6-7) And think about Jeremiah 29:12-13, The Lord says:"Then you shall call upon ME And pray to ME, and I will listen to you. And you shall seek ME, and FIND ME, WHEN you shall search for ME with ALL your heart. And THEN you WILL find ME..." And James 4:8, tells us: " Draw near to God [ and WHAT WILL HAPPEN?] He will draw near to You!" Wow, that's all amazing and wonderful, my friend! Remembering that the TIMING of answers from God i...

Good Morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. We heard him! It was powerful: "MY house shall be called The House of Prayer," declared Jesus. Prayer is talking with God, acknowledging His holiness, power and goodness. "I will bless The Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My souls shall make her boast in the Lord...O magnify the Lord with Thanksgiving and let us lift up His Name together...The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [ those who honor His name with awesome respect] and He rescues them. O taste and see that the Lord is good, Blessed is the man who trusts In Him."( Psalm 34:1-3, 7&8) Throughout the Word of God, the Holy Bible, we are counseled to pray. Jesus prayed. Abraham, Noah, Moses, Joshua, King David and all the Men and women of God prayed. And so must we pray: "Men ought always to pray, and not to faint." ( Luke 18:1) " Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17) "Ca...

So, my "walking with Jesus" friend, the "whole city was stirred," (Matthew 21:10) What is Jesus' next move? Where would YOU go FIRST? Yes, straightway "Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And he said to them: ' It is written, My house shall be called the house of Prayer, <Isaiah 56:7 > but you have made it a den of thieves.' "( Matthew 21:12-13) Of utmost importance to the Lord is our worship and prayer, in the words of King David, praising the Lord:" Thine is the greatness and the power and the glory, and the victory and the majesty, For all that is in the heavens and the earth is Yours, Yours is the Kingdom and You are exalted as head over all."(1 Chronicles 29:11) The greatness of God calls for keeping His House Holy. It's an attitude of heart, mind and soul. Jesus said:" Bl...

How about a little geography this morning? my "walking with Jesus" friend. Jerusalem is a city set on a hill/ actually on several hills(elevation 2,575') with surrounding valleys and other hills...the most well- known hill just east of Jerusalem is the Mount of Olives(elevation 2,684')Being just a little higher than Jerusalem, we can look into the city from the Mount of Olives. So, we are with Jesus and the disciples on the Mount of Olives where they have just brought Jesus a donkey. (There were no horses in that region at that time.) "And they put their coats on the donkey and Jesus sat on it. And a very great multitude spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches and threw them onto the way. And the multitudes that went before and that followed shouted:" Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Rosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred, asking: Who IS this? Th...

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Great thanks, Bill. Good doctor report yesterday. Virus gone now. Never had a fever or shortness of breath ...mostly congestion and extreme fatigue. Praising God for healing and greatly thanking you for your prayers. Now praying that you all stay well and are blessed in the Lord. Loveyou, Mom/GrandmaEllen YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email notifications for text messages. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please update your email notification settings . Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy Mountain View CA 94043 USA

What is 5,280 feet? Yes, my "walking with Jesus" friend, that is the length of a mile. In elevation, Jerusalem is 1/2 a mile higher than Jericho and is an 18 mile hike up a steep, dusty, road through very dry, desert conditions. Well, up to Jerusalem is where Jesus, his disciples and "a multitude" (Matthew 20:31) that followed him are going." And, as they drew near Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. And Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying, go into the village, and straightaway you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them, and bring them to me. And if any man ask, tell him:" The Lord needs them." And straightway he will send them. All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet Zechariah [9:9] "Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, Your King is coming unto you, meek and sitting upon a donkey [a beast of burden]. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded....

What is 5,280 feet? Yes, my "walking with Jesus" friend, that is the length of a mile. In elevation, Jerusalem is 1/2 a mile higher than Jericho and is an 18 mile hike up a steep, dusty, road through very dry, desert conditions. Well, up to Jerusalem is where Jesus, his disciples and "a multitude" (Matthew 20:31) that followed him are going." And, as they drew near Jerusalem, they came to the town of Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. And Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying, go into the village, and straightaway you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them, and bring them to me. And if any man ask, tell him:" The Lord needs them." And straightway he will send them. All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet Zechariah [9:9] "Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, Your King is coming unto you, meek and sitting upon a donkey [a beast of burden]. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded....

On our way again this morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Going up to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover, there's quite a crowd. "And as they departed from Jericho, a great multitude followed him. And behold, two blind met sitting by the way side, and when they heard that Jesus passed by, they cried out, saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. And the people scolded them and told them to hold their peace: but they shouted out the more saying, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David." [ What would YOU do? What did Jesus do?] "And JESUS stood still, and called them and said: What do you want me to do unto you? They said unto him: Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him."( Matthew 20:29-34) Can you imagine the excitement, the amazement!! Two men who ASKED, and were healed of blindness by the touch of Jesus!! "Ask, a...

Wait, my "walking with Jesus" friend, wait a minute, here comes the mother of two of Jesus' disciples. Let's listen.Matthew 20:20-28 has this record:"Then there came to Jesus the mother of Zebedee's children with her son's, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And Jesus asked her what she wanted. And she said: 'When you come into Your Kingdom, Grant that these my two sons, may sit on Your right and on your left.' But Jesus answered her and said:' You really do not realize what you are asking. Are you able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism I am baptised with?' And they reply:' We are able.' Then Jesus said, 'You shall indeed drink of my cup, and be baptised with the baptism that I am baptised with: but to sit on my right and on my left is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared by My Father...Wh oever would be great among you, let him b...

Oh good, you have on your walking sandals, my "walking with Jesus" friend. We do best when we know what's ahead...in thus case, about a 70 mile walk from Galilee to Jerusalem. As we are walking with Jesus and his disciples, he is explaining what WILL happen in Jerusalem. (25-27% of the Bible is devoted to prophecy. Our merciful God of Prophecy desires to make known to us what He has in store in the future.)In Matthew 20:17-19:" Jesus, going up to Jerusalem, took the twelve disciples apart and said, 'Behold, we go up to Jerusalem: and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he will rise again." Prepare yourselves. Do not be overcome with surprise. Hang onto your faith and see the glorious outcome the Lord has planned. "Fear not. Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord," Moses to...

Good Sunday morning, my "walking with Jesus" friend. Let's worship the Lord with Psalm 37:2-7a, "Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shall you dwell in the Land and verily you shall be fed. Delight yourself also in the Lord and He shall grant you the desires of your heart. Commit your way unto the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to past...Rest in the Lord..." To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email notifications for text messages. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please update your email notification settings . Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy Mountain View CA 94043 USA

Praise the Lord! YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email notifications for text messages. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please update your email notification settings . Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy Mountain View CA 94043 USA

There is a lot for us to understand about the Kingdom of Heaven, my "walking with Jesus" friend. In Matthew 20: 1-16, Jesus explains: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like an householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. They agreed to work for a penny a day and he sent them into his vineyard. Then, about the 3rd hour, he saw others standing idle, and sent them into the vineyard, 'And whatever is right I will give you.' And they went into the vineyard. Likewise also the 6th and 9th hour. And the 11th hour, he hired more saying:' whatever is right you shall receive. Evening came. He called the laborers in and gave them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. Those hired in the 11th hour received a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more, but they received a penny and murdered against the goodman of the house, saying these last worked only one hour, but you gave them the same. ...

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How shall we NOT be shaken in these uncertain days? My "walking with Jesus"friend. There is a mighty strong answer in Psalm 16:8 &11: "I have SET THE LORD always before me. BECAUSE He is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken...You, Lord, will < it's a promise > show me the path of life, In Your Presence is Fulness of JOY, at YOUR right hand there are pleasures forevermore." Where are the true pleasures? At the right hand of the Lord!! To respond to this text message, reply to this email or visit Google Voice. YOUR ACCOUNT HELP CENTER HELP FORUM This email was sent to you because you indicated that you'd like to receive email notifications for text messages. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please update your email notification settings . Google LLC 1600 Amphitheatre Pkwy Mountain View CA 94043 USA

How about a Proverb about trust to start the day? my "walking with Jesus" friend. Proverbs 3:5-6, " Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In ALL your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."(Proverb 3:5-6) Let's keep that Proverb in mind as we hear what Jesus says in Matthew 19:22-26. The rich young man went away sorrowful, and Jesus said to His disciples, 'Truly I say to you that a rich man shall hardly enter into the Kingdom of heaven <he is trusting in his wealth and not in the Lord >. It is easier, said Jesus, for a big camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.' The disciples were amazed and asked, well then, who can be saved? Jesus told them:' With men this is impossible: but with GOD, all things are possible." So, my friend, clearly the Lord calls us to TRUST in HIM with all our heart. We do well to memorize and live by Prover...

As we "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and Hiss righteousness..."( Matthew 6:33), my "walking with Jesus" friend, we need:" an agent of action," a way to be stirred to righteousness. Here is "the agent of action:" Now, may THE GOD OF PEACE, who raised from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, by the blood of the Everlasting Covenant, <may He do THIS > Make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in You that which is well-pleasing in His sight, <HOW? > through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." Through the Spirit of Jesus Christ at work in the believing heart, right actions will build the Kingdom of God "on earth, as it is in Heaven."(Matthew 6:9-13) Our mother taught us: "Little deeds of kindness, little words of love, make this world of ours, like the heavens above." Shall we ask ourselves: What can I do today that will "speak" rig...

While we were still listening, my "walking with Jesus" friend, " Behold, a man came to Jesus and said unto him:'Good Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have Eternal Life?' " (My friend, were you as amazed as I was at Jesus's response?) "Jesus said to him:' Why do you call me good? There is none good but one, that is GOD! But if you will enter into Life, Keep the commandments.' And the man said, 'Which commandments?' Jesus said: 'You shall do no murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not lie. Honor your father and mother: and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The young man told Jesus:' I have always kept all the commandments. What am I missing? ' Jesus told him: 'If you will be perfect, go and sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.' (My friend, what do you think the young man did? Matthew 19:...